TEAM Fiji women’s football captain to the Special Olympics Arieta Lala passed away last Friday after a short illness.
The hero for the team Fiji football side scored the winning goal for the team in the bronze medal play-offs against South Africa 1-0 to win the game and the bronze for the team and the nation.
The Navola lass from Nadroga was described by her relatives and friends as a quiet and shy girl who always smiled and loved to make friends.
Special Olympics Fiji sports director Robin Dayal said Lala made her breakthrough after winning the bronze medal for team Fiji after scoring the winning goal.
“She’s just been selected to be part of the national under 19 women’s development team because she stood out during the games when she scored the winning goal for her team and she led by example as a captain,” said Dayal.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Special Olympics Committee, the Special Olympics Team Fiji and some government officials paid their last respect to the Special Olympics bronze medalist at Navola village in Nadroga.
The 17-year old will be buried tomorrow at Navola Village.
